Share Paper: Best of Ireland: The Learning Portfolio in Higher Education: An Integrative Review

1. Darina Scully, Dublin City University, Ireland
2. Michael O'Leary, Dublin City University, Ireland
3. Mark Brown, Dublin City University, Ireland

Abstract: The learning portfolio is often lauded as a powerful pedagogical tool, and consequently, is rapidly becoming a central feature of contemporary education. This paper synthesizes and critically reviews the literature pertaining to its use in higher education contexts specifically. Three key themes are identified and discussed. First, although the theory underlying the use of learning portfolios is promising, robust empirical evidence supporting their effectiveness remains sparse. Second, the tool is rooted in a complex pedagogy, and its potential can only be realized if the processes underlying this pedagogy are properly understood by advocates and executed by users. Third, there is ...